Hawley marks 45 years of photographing high school sports
tom hawley, the monroe news
·2 min read
Milan's Latin Davis tales in the atmosphere at the Breslin Center in East Lansing as he waits to take the floor for the Class B State Championship game March 22, 2014. Davis lead all scores with 34 points, as Milan won the Class B State Championship for the first time in 66 years.
Many call me a photographer, but I actually think of myself as a photojournalist.
I've dedicated my career to community journalism for 45 years. High school sports has played a major role in that.
It all started out with an internship at the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun, after getting a degree at Central Michigan University. My first job with The Monroe Evening News started in May of 1979. I left after 11 years for Monroe County Community College to take a break from the newspaper business, but continued to do freelance work.
Tom Hawley
During my time with MCCC, I was offered an opportunity to work for two larger newpapers, but decided not want to relocate. Monroe was my home. I settled my roots into the area.
After a break, I started working for the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers in Wayne and Oakland County for 14 years, then returned to The Monroe News in 2010.
Living in Monroe since college, working for a smaller paper, you get to know the coaches, players, and parents. I have taken images of generations of families in the area. It is always funny to hear, "Hey, you took pictures of my dad (or mom)."
I can count on one hand on the number of college games I photographed. I have been to one Detroit Lions and one Detroit Tiger games in my career. Those came when we were working on a feature story.
Foul Catch Cather Bobby Slusher of Bedford runs down a pop up foul ball to make a great catch near the fence in the District final against Woodhaven on June 3, 2017.
There are times, I ask myself, "What if?" Should have I go to a larger paper?
But the responses I get from an athlete appreciating the images I have taken has gone a long way.
So, Monroe County, I am not sure how many days, weeks or years are left for this photojournalist, who turned 66 last October, but I will keep on trucking along.
Dundee wrestling coach Tim Roberts reacts after Jonny White beat Hunter Seguin of Richmond 6-0 in the final match of the Division 3 Team Finals to win back-to-back championships on February 23, 2019. The final score 26-25.
Hopefully, I have made an impact on your lives during my journey of taking pictures.
Note: Images are from the past 10 years.
Emilie Zlatos of Airport reacts after sinking a birdie putt in a meet against Flat Rock on September 2, 2020 at Sandy Creek Golf Course.
Justin Ott of Dundee wins the diving at the Monroe County Championships on February 6, 2016.
Kelly Reeves (left) leaps for joy and hugs her niece Taylor Wegener of Ida while her mother Kim Wegener hugs her other daughter Whitney Wegener after the Ida softball team came from behind to beat Richmond 8-4 in nine innings in the Division 2 State Finals at Michigan State University on June 17, 2017.
Monroe High catcher Noah Miller gets ready to place a tag on Garrett Sharp of Dexter on May 27, 2022.
St. Mary's Catholic Central pitcher Meghan Beaubien is lifted by her teammates Kelsey Barron and Morgan Antonelli after Beaubien threw a perfect game as SMCC beat Gladstone 13-0 in the Division 3 state semifinal game on June 17, 2016 at Michigan State University. Beaubien went onto throw another perfect game to win her second Division 3 state title over Grandville Calvin Christian.
Dundee's Braiden Whitaker leaps to celebrate with Cooper Buhl after the Vikings beat Ida 53-51 in the Division 2 District final on March 10, 2023.
Janie Bunge of Whiteford was the first to slide in the snow as Whiteford High School softball worked on sliding drills on March 14, 2014. Coach Kris Hubbard instructed the players to have arms up, bottoms down and lay on your back as they went through the drills. "Your bottom and back should be wet," said coach Hubbard.
St. Mary Catholic Central's Alex Morgan and Zachariah Thompson of Warren Michigan Collegiate battle for the ball, but the pass fell incomplete in the Division 6 District finals on November 8, 2019. SMCC won the game and went on to win the Division 6 State Championship.
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